World Arthritis Day 2021: Unhealthy Lifestyle And Diet Causing Trouble

Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints, which not only affects his/her walking but also interferes with their day-to-day activities. It is a common condition, especially in elderly people and to spread more awareness about it, every year on 12th October, World Arthritis Day is observed.

Earlier, it was believed that arthritis is a disease that affects aged people, but with an unhealthy lifestyle and improper diet, the condition can now be seen in young people as well. Although it is a common disease, people are not much aware of it and they often ignore its symptoms, which can further worsen the condition. Therefore, every year on 12th October, World Arthritis Day (WAD) is celebrated.

According to the European Alliance of Associations For Rheumatology (EULAR), the day “aims to help raise awareness in all audiences across the world of the existence and impact of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, often referred to as RMDs. The debilitating effects of these diseases, of which more than 200 exist, are little known; their impact, however, is largely – and silently – felt”. EULAR celebrates WAD 2021 focusing on the EULAR Campaign ‘Don’t Delay, Connect Today: Time2Work’.

What Do The Stats Say?

According to the results of a comprehensive survey conducted in the year 2020 in India, the number of arthritis sufferers in the capital Delhi is about 23% of the total population, while those in Mumbai are about 18% of the total population and more than 15% is in Bangalore. Many researches in this regard point that an unhealthy lifestyle and diet can be attributed to a large extent to the increasing cases of arthritis in the present time.

Arthritis And Its Types

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “Arthritis describes more than 100 conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues. Specific symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis, but usually include joint pain and stiffness”.

There are over 100 types of arthritis, categorized according to their causes and symptoms. CDC categorizes the different types of arthritis in 6 categories, which are:

1. Osteoarthritis
2. Fibromyalgia
3. Rheumatoid Arthritis
4. Gout
5. Juvenile Arthritis
6. Lupus

Apart from this, septic arthritis, metabolic arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis are also some of the main types of this disease.

Causes And Symptoms

Scientists do not know the exact cause of many types of arthritis, but a common known cause is the damage of the cartilage, the tissue that holds the bones together. It is an important part of our skeletal system as it helps in the smooth functioning of muscles. Apart from this, the problem of arthritis can also arise in the body due to injury, improper functioning of the immune system, or it can be hereditary, due to an infection or surgery.

The main symptoms of arthritis include joint and body pain, swelling, stiffness or tension in the muscles, pain or discomfort in the movement of the joints of the hands and feet, fever and fatigue. However, the symptoms may vary according to the type of arthritis a person is suffering from.

How To Prevent?

To prevent the problem, it is very important to consume a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet. Include plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains in the diet. Apart from this, physical activity is very important, for which regular exercise and walking can be done. Also, 20-30 minutes of exposure to the sun early in the morning can also reduce the risk of arthritis.